Newcastle vs Stoke match report: Jack Butland keeps out wasteful Magpies

Newcastle United 0 Stoke City 0

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The plaudits here were for an Englishman. That felt a bit unique, given the rarity of English players involved in games in these parts.

There were only three on the field – Glen Johnson, Ryan Shawcross and Jack Butland – but the day belonged to the latter, with the 22-year-old goalkeeper denying Newcastle four times in the second half after Steve McClaren’s side rallied.

They are doing plenty of that, but the decision to go into a campaign with the novice Aleksandar Mitrovic – who he hit the post in the first half with a header – and the ageing Papiss Cisse, always felt a strange and dangerous one. Newcastle have scored 12 goals in the Premier League this season in 11 games, and six of those came against Norwich.

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Butland excelled three times between the 50th and 60th minute. First, came a stop to deny Georginio Wijnaldum from a free-kick, then he saved from Moussa Sissoko before tipping away a drive by Ayoze Perez. At the death he was at it again, tipping over a Jamaal Lascelles header.

“Jack Butland stood between us and three points,” said McClaren. “He made four incredible saves and the future certainly looks bright for English goalkeepers. I had him for a couple of months at Derby and he was excellent then and he’s better now. He got Stoke the point.

“The key thing is we look capable of winning games now. The first four we didn’t create anything. We are playing good football and dominating opponents. We are on the right way.”

Jon Walters was denied by a fine save from Rob Elliot, the Newcastle goalkeeper, who McClaren admitted was a doubt beforehand because of a thigh injury and is now unlikely to play next week. Newcastle, with Tim Krul and Karl Darlow both injured, may look to bring in an emergency loan.

Newcastle: (4-2-3-1) Elliot; Janmaat (Lascelles, 83), Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett; Anita, Tiote (De Jong, 71); Sissoko, Perez, Wijnaldum; Mitrovic.

Stoke: (4-2-3-1): Butland; Johnson, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters; Whelan, Adam; Bojan (Affelay, 59), Shaqiri (Crouch, 90), Arnautovic (Van Ginkel, 89); Walters.

Referee: Roger East.

Man of the match: Butland (Stoke).

Match rating: 5/10.